NORTH COAST RIVERS

North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures. Always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed or no reports. The DFG’s Low Flow Closure Hotline for north coast rivers is (707) 822-3164. For the Russian River and counties of Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin, call (707) 944-5533. South Central Coast streams number is (831) 649-2886. Many streams close, and others change to artificial/barbless only on, March 31 and others on April 25. Trouble identifying salmon or steelhead? Go to: http://www.swr.noaa.gov/fmd/identify.htm.

ROGUE RIVER, Lower, Ore.-Guides licensed for above Lobster Creek are still scoring on springers every day, and in-bay trolling has begun. Winds kept most boats off the bay until Sunday, but guide Chris Young put Jim Lyman onto a 38 pounder, and guide John Anderson caught a 22 pounder on Thursday. Whether the in-bay fishing will be good or not depends on whether warm flows keep the influx of fall-run fish in the cooler waters at the mouth or not. If the river is cool enough, they’re expected to head straight on through the bay and upriver.

ROGUE RIVER, Grant’s Pass-Spring salmon still make up the big part of fishing activity from Lobster Creek upriver.

RUSSIAN RIVER-Smallmouth bass fishing is heating up along with the warming waters, and anglers who have access to a canoe, kayak or float tube and can get away from the more popular beach areas where the swimming crowd congregates will find some good and improving smallmouth fishing. Throw Rooster Tails, rubber worms or small crankbaits around structure for the best action. The small stripers have taken a hiatus since the disruption of water-loving crowds hit the river.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City- Salmon fishing was good last week in the upper Trinity as flows in the upper river continued their drop, which should be around 1,000 cfs by this weekend. Fishermen working the section between Douglas City and Junction City were hooking 3 to 6 salmon a morning, almost all on roe. The operative word was “morning” as the evening bite has been very slow. The fish are big-to 26 pounds-and beautiful.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek-Fishing for salmon was pretty good at Grays Falls last week, in spite of flows that were still a bit high. But they are dropping and anglers are scoring on tuna balls and roe. The only downside is water temperatures which are rising, and at some point will affect the salmon bite and their upstream movement.

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam-Releases at Iron Gate Dam were dropping, and anglers might be able to get in a little trout fishing soon-before water temperatures skyrocket.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-Flows were down to about 10,000 cfs, and bright salmon continued to enter the river. Fishing was quite good over the weekend, and some anglers were hooking 6 or more bright Chinook to 16 pounds above Klamath Glen, on CV-7 spinners. In addition to adults, anglers were catching jacks and an increasing number of steelhead.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-The river is still running high, but the clarity is good. As the flows slow, the fishing should improve in areas not loaded with rafters. The Middle Fork near Georgetown has been producing some nice rainbows and browns for those willing to make the hike.

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is at 98-percent capacity. Emerald Cove Marina said no one had reported any success fishing, though trout and kokanee should be hitting up in the North Fork arm. Bass fishing should be good for those willing to give it a try. Recreational boat traffic is heavy on the weekends.

CAMP FAR WEST-The lake is at more than 88-percent capacity. The bass fishing has been good for angler using crankbaits and worms–one boat landed 18 fish, but only 5 were keepers. Catfish action at night is improving for anglers using nightcrawlers and sardines.

COLLINS LAKE-The lake is 3 1/2 feet from full. Fishing has only been fair. Trout fishing has slowed for shore anglers due to the warmer water. Shore anglers accessing deeper water at the dam or along the east side of the lake have caught a few limits, but most only pick up one or two fish per rod. Trollers were running Humdingers, Kastmasters, Z-Rays, and Rooster Tails for trout at 30 feet. Catfish fishing has improved, especially at night, for fish to 5 pounds. Tom Mason of Benicia caught 4-, 4 1/2-, and 5-pound catfish off the Open Area on chicken livers. Lots of bluegill and redears were hitting for anglers fishing around the submerged brush in the coves.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake was at 101-percent capacity and spilling. The water level was predicted to fall 7 feet by this Wednesday. The dropping water level will increase the size and number of beaches for houseboats and campers to use and warm up the water. Trout action has been fair, according to Dillon Davis at Skippers Cove Marina, for smaller planter rainbows being caught in the marina and some 10- to 14-inch trout coming from the Black’s Ravine area on drifted nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Bass are everywhere along the shores, but no one is fishing for them. Recreational boat traffic is heavy on weekends, so fishermen should try to hit the lake during the week. A wildfire burning along the Yuba River below the dam had the air full of smoke over the past weekend at the lake.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is at 92-percent capacity. All the campgrounds are open but the water system still needs to be tested, so campers need to boil water before consumption. Anglers have been catching 2 to 3 fish per rod trolling threaded nightcrawler/dodger combos, according to Will Fish Tackle in Auburn.

FULLER LAKE-The lake was planted this past week by the DFG, so fishing off the dam should be good for shore anglers. Trollers should be doing well with flasher/worm combos.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-The lake is at full and spilling. Trollers are picking up 12- to 14-inch kokanee at 30 to 40 feet at the powerhouse on chrome dodger/white or pink hoochies run 50 to 60 feet back at 0.8 to 1.2 mph. Early morning fast trollers running Hot Steel F-9 Rapalas are picking up 14- to 16-inch brown trout at the inlet. 2-to 5-pound macks have been hitting firetiger Lyman plugs at 70 to 90 feet deep at the dam, according to Will Fish Tackle in Auburn.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is still full. Bass fishing is still good with fish being caught all over the lake from the top down to 25 feet deep. At the Tuesday night turkey shoot held at the Spillway, it’s been taking an 18- to 19-inch fish to win. Last week’s winner was caught on a Spook in the South Fork. Topwater, Senkos, jigs, and worms were all working in the Middle Fork, main body, and South Fork at the mouths of the bigger coves on the outside main points, according to bass guide Ron Gandolfi.

ROLLINS LAKE-The lake is full. Trollers were picking up 10- to 12-inch rainbows on toplined Rapalas near the wing dam. Catfish action was improving according to Lance Englestad at Long Ravine Resort.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-The lake is full, but the water has warmed to 76-degrees. Trout fishing has slowed for shore anglers, though boaters have been picking up some nice rainbows to 2 pounds drifting nightcrawlers at the inlet. Shore anglers have been catching lots of small bass and bluegill.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-All the campgrounds and day-use areas are open according to the Foresthill Ranger Station and fishing should be pretty good since the DFG has planted the lake twice this season already.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is full. Campers were catching limits of 12- to 14-inch rainbows and some browns to 20 inches, according to camp host, Rod Mercer.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-The lake is at 87-percent capacity. Jigs and Senkos fished in the tules in the 5 mph zone outside Wilbur Road should produce some nice bass to 4 or 5 pounds.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-The fleet is running potluck and salmon trips, with bay trips producing about 15 fish per boat, and the Marin Coast trips finding a mix of rockfish, lingcod, halibut and stripers that makes for higher counts. “A couple of white seabass have been found, too,” said Scott Sutherland at Berkeley Sportfishing. On the California Dawn, Captain James Smith said his Marin Coast trips rate an A- right now, with solid action resulting in limits or near limits of rockfish, good lingcod counts and some nice halibut and stripers. On the Happy Hooker, anglers have been scoring striped bass limits from the rock spots in mid-bay, with Thursday’s group of 19 scoring limits plus 7 halibut to 12 pounds, and Friday’s 23 anglers hooking 19 stripers and 21 halibut to 20 pounds.

BODEGA BAY- Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler said bottomfish are still the sure thing, with limits of rockfish the rule, and some good solid lingcod action resulting in double digit counts when his anglers can fish the ling spots. Most of the action is coming from up the coast around Timber Cove. Powers did try for salmon one morning, the only fish a 22 pounder.

EMERYVILLE-The first striper limits of the year came in on the New Huck Finn on July 4, the trips since then resulting in 1 bass around to limits, all from South San Francisco Bay, said Frank Salazar at Emeryville Sportfishing Center. The weekend offered some of the best combo action, with 22 anglers on the New Huck Finn catching 41 striped bass and 17 halibut, 3 anglers on the Aku Nui boating 3 halibut and 4 bass to 15 pounds, and 4 anglers on the Wet Spot boxing 6 bass, 1 shark and 2 rockfish. The New Seeker and Captain Hook went for rockfish, finding a combined 134 rockfish and 19 lingcod for 33 anglers.

EUREKA-Solid salmon action all week (with consistently bad weather making for fits and starts on getting out the bar). If the boats could get out and bear with the weather, the fishing was great with limits of kings the rule, and a big grade showing. WON subscriber Lonnie Dollarhide fished a couple days, but Sunday offered the best conditions and produced some great salmon action. “I fished with Captain Tim Klassen on Reel Steel, and we ended up with our 6 fish for limits,” said Dollarhide. Several other boats, private and charter, also scored limits, and there were kings to 32 pounds boated. Also showing, some California halibut in north Humboldt Bay.

FORT BRAGG-A real roller coaster ride here with the salmon, with fast action one day, and lucky to scratch a fish the next. Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar said he fished on July 4, and the action started out quick with a 25 pounder hooked on first drop, but that fish got away. Then a mid-week lull, but they turned back on Thursday and his 12 anglers caught 12 kings, with some real jumbos including a 28 pounder. Bottomfishing has been good when the clear water moves in, but the weather has been making it tough on some anglers. Those who stay on the rail get their rockfish limits with some black rockfish up to 5 pounds.

HALF MOON BAY-Weather has been a problem much of the week, but when the boats get out with decent conditions, the bottomfishing has been good with rockfish limits and some nice bonus lingcod caught. Salmon are still dodging the fleet.

GOLDEN GATE-The king action showed some improvement with salmon to 38.5 pounds caught (Wacky Jacky, San Francisco), and over one around on one trip on a Berkeley boat. The fleet is finding most of the big kings off of Duxbury and the Towers.

OYSTER POINT-Captain Jack Chapman on the Lovely Linda II reported a windy day on the bay Sunday, but his anglers got into striped bass, sharks and rays, with the stripers ranging from 6 to 9 pounds caught at San Bruno Shoals and Alcatraz.

SAN FRANCISCO-Captain Erik Anfinson on the Bass Tub reported the first stripers of the year off the rockpile, his anglers catching 9 to 16 pounds on Sunday’s trip. That catch was supplemented by 9 halibut to 21 pounds at Alcatraz. “Bass are showing up everywhere,” said Anfinson. On Friday he said his group of 12 anglers caught limits of rockfish and 2 lings, plus 1 halibut fishing the Marin Coast.

SAUSALITO-Some nice kings reported on the Outer Limits and New Rayann, those fish coming from the Marin Coast.

SHELTER COVE-Rough seas have not stopped anglers here from getting out and finding an awesome king bite just a mile out of the harbor. “In the last seven days, we’ve only had two lulls in the bite,” said Captain Trent Slate of Shelter Cove Sportfishing. “The other days we had limits of big fish.” On Saturday and Sunday, those limits were in the box by 9 a.m., and they did not include one fish under 20 pounds. “The bite is red hot; I haven’t seen anything like this in over six years!” said Slate.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE-The lake is at 97-percent capacity. Fishing has been the most consistent west of the dam in the early morning or late afternoon/evening for 12- to 14-inch rainbows and browns on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Kastmaster spoons, and Rooster Tail and Panther Martin spinners. A 20-inch fish shows up now and then.

CAPLES LAKE-The lake is spilling over the dam and scheduled for a DFG trout plant. Shore anglers have been catching a mix of rainbows and browns on black/gold CD Rapalas. Trolling has been slow. Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported that 10- to 19-inch browns and a few rainbows were being caught on black or olive streamers cast near the boulders off Wood’s Creek-evenings were best.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-The West Fork, East Fork, and Markleeville Creek are all scheduled for DFG trout plants this week. The flows in the West Fork and Markleeville Creek were good, while the East Fork was still a little high. Fishing was slow. Sean Cundall of Rancho Cordova caught 5 1/2- and 6-pound rainbows in the East Fork at the Pebble Beach campground at the Carson River Resort on nightcrawlers. Heidi Tyra of Grass Valley picked up a 2-pound, 15-ounce cutthroat out of the West Fork on salmon eggs.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 87-percent capacity. Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported good action for rainbows averaging 14 to 16 inches with some to 19 inches trolling copper/red head Dick Nites, firetiger Sockeye Slammers, and red dot frog Needlefish at 20 to 30 feet deep from Honker to the island. There is a very early morning bite along the west side from Camp 5 to Cow Creek trolling the same spoons plus black or cinnamon wooly buggers at 3 feet deep over 10 to 12 feet of water. Shore fishermen have been successful at Catfish, Eagle Point, Coot, and Fairview on inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Some catfish, 10 to 12 inches, have been caught on worms.

DONNER LAKE-The lake is at 95-percent capacity. The rainbow trout fishing has been good at the docks at the west end of the lake-pick the right dock and find non-stop action on worms and Power Bait. The kokanee bite was starting to pick up for 13- to 14-inch fish at 75 to 85 feet deep on a Vance’s dodger with RGT hoochies in Glow/ UV yellow or orange. There are some small groups of kokes cruising at 35 feet deep if you can find them, according to Keith Zenker at Mountain Hardware and Sports.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON-PG&E finished repair work on a generator at the Caribou Powerhouse and reduced the flows into the North Fork. Mike Hanson at Caribou Crossroads Resort reported good fishing for DFG planters. With the lower flows, fishing is much safer and productive. Fly fishermen have been working the dam area at Butt Valley Reservoir for trout.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-Shore fishing has been good for 12- to 17-inch rainbows on nightcrawlers and Power Bait at Turkey Point. Trollers were still doing well on the north and east sides of the lake with green, black, and red lures.

GOLD LAKES BASIN-Gold Lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Bassetts Station reported good action for browns at Gold Lake on drifted worms. Sardine, Salmon, and Packer were all fishing well for 14- to 15-inch rainbows and browns using worms and Power Bait. Sardine kicked out a 19-inch rainbow. One report by WON editor Bill Karr said a couple on the north shore used Power Bait early for some nice brookies and ‘bows. Streams are running clear, but high.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 91-percent capacity. According to Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Guide Service, trolling with Sep’s dodgers and grubs should produce easy limits.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported fair action for 12- to 20-inch rainbows–one angler picked up a 28-inch, 7-pounder.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR-The lake is at 98-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. One shore angler reported catching-and-releasing a 5-pound brook trout, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-The lake is full. Fishing for rainbows was fair for shore anglers using Power Bait at the first dam and the peninsula campgrounds. A few smallmouth bass were caught in the Narrows on plastic worms, according to Sly Park Resort. No word on any macks.

LAKE TAHOE-All the lake charter boats that WON talked to this past weekend reported great Mackinaw action. The bite has been the best for everyone before the sun hits the water then there is a big slow down in the bite. Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters kept 7, tagged 2, and lost 5 on his last trip-all 6 to 7 pounds. The early bite was shallow-80 to 100 feet deep-and as the sun rose the best action occurred at 400 feet. Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported limit action before sunrise at 145 feet deep on 4 to 12 pounders. The 12 pounder hit a Lucky Craft SP78. Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Top Liners reported that the mack fishing was “as good as it gets” in the early morning trolling Krocadile spoons, and Storm ThunderStick lures at 170 to 220 feet deep. Nielsen said that there were some boats trolling for kokanee, 30 to 50 feet deep, off Camp Richardson using pink or orange spoons and hoochies behind chrome flashers. The kokes are small-9 to 13 inches. The surface bite for rainbows and browns has been slow. Most of the marinas are loaded with minnows and the trout are patrolling the marinas for a quick meal.

LOON LAKE-The boat ramp is open for launching, but the campgrounds are still closed. Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle reported that a few boats had fished here with poor results due to the extremely cold water.

PROSSER LAKE-The lake is full and spilling. The trout bite has been good in Alder Creek for fly fishermen trying to get away from the activity in Prosser Creek. The inlet at Prosser Creek is good in the early morning, but the fish move out into the middle if the lake at the mouth of the creek in the evening where trollers have been doing well on Needlefish and Rainbow Runners.

PYRAMID LAKE-The trout season is over and the perch bite hasn’t developed yet with the cold water.

RED LAKE-Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported slow action due to cold water.

SILVER LAKE-The lake is at 83-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Plasses Resort said that the fishing was good, but no details were available.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-The lake is full and spilling. The kokanee are deep, 70 to 80 feet, and hitting dodger/pink or orange hoochie combos. The macks are tight to the bottom hitting kokanee imitating plugs. The best chance for a brown has been trolling very early in the morning with a Rapala, but the bite has been sporadic at best.

TOPAZ LAKE-Lots of cold dirty water running into the lake has slowed the trout bite to a standstill. There’s a lot of debris floating along the shore that has the fishermen and recreational boaters all crowded into the middle of the lake-trollers need to get out very early to avoid the jet-skiers.

TRUCKEE RIVER-The Little Truckee has been producing 12- to 19-inch rainbows and browns on San Juan Worms and zebra midges. Anglers have been seeing lots of browns but catching more rainbows. The main river from Truckee to the Boca Bridge has been producing on caddis pupa and black stone nymphs. The main river below the Boca Bridge is still blown out.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-The lake is at 94-percent capacity. Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service fished the lake this past week and they picked up 11 fish-13- to 14 1/2-inch trout and kokanee-on dodger/spinner/corn combos trolled at 20 to 45 feet deep. Neeser said the fish were spread out all over the lake with no big concentrations in any specific area.

WEST WALKER RIVER-The West Walker and Little Walker are both scheduled for DFG trout plants this week. Flows in the West Walker were still at 1600 to 2000 cfs this past weekend, but dropping 100 to 150 cfs per day. Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel figured that Mono County plants of Alpers trout would start by the middle of next week (July 19-20) to make up for plants not made on Memorial Day and July 4. Jodi and Kirsten Bigalk (father/daughter) caught a 2 pounder and two 1 1/2-pound rainbows on worms and salmon eggs this past week. A 3 pounder is leading the “How Big is Big” Trout Derby.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-Senkos, topwater and jigs continue to be the way to go. The lake is continuing to be drawn down and the weeds are making many areas of the upper end unfishable. You have to move around to find open areas between the bank and the first weedline in order to get bait in front of the fish or fish the arms. The topwater bite still remains on and off and you have to get out before the sun gets up on the water to have any decent success.

LAKE BERRYESSA- Top producers for kokes were RMT squids and Super squids in UV pink, pink, green and orange cotton candy. Uncle Larry’s spinners in Copper Pop, Copper Blue Pink, Green Tiger and Apex spoons in green, UV watermelon, UV purple. Look for good groups of fish on the east side; Skiers Cove, the Big Island area and over the channel all the way to the first bathroom at mid island have all been productive. There has been a good topwater bite for bass in the early morning and in the evening.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-Trolling continues to score trout but as the weather and waters warms up the fish will go deeper, this past week also had a lot of additional recreational boats out as well. With the heat and more boats, the key was to get out early as the bite slowed down after 10 a.m. Try flashers and dodgers with threaded nightcrawlers or for bait fishing, a cricket/mealworm combination.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR-Fishing was slow, but a few nice browns were taken near the boat ramp and along the dam. Water levels are very high, leaving plenty of opportunity for shore fishermen. No word yet as to whether DFG made their scheduled plant of German browns. Worms, floating baits and lures work well here. For bigger fish go deep to avoid the large number of chubs near the surface. Hopefully, the planting of brown trout will help reduce the baitfish and create conditions for some really large fish. For the fly fisherman mosquito and callibaetis are working on top and streamer patterns are taking fish deeper.

BAUM LAKE-According to Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney fishing is still a good bet here and the best luck seemed to be with little yellow stones, PMD’s and callibaetis. Nightcrawlers and floating baits did well, as did two-toned Kastmasters. Nymphs of choice were copper John’s in red or pt’s.

BRITTON LAKE-Little has changed here. Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney reported stained water in some areas still, but the crappie bite has been good. The best results have been in the areas where water is coming into the lake and fish do not seem to be particular yet on colors of jigs. Crappie sizes have been a bit smaller but there are still some decent limits coming in. The smallmouth have spawned, so fishing is quite good for them as well.

BURNEY CREEK–Vaughn’s Sporting Goods reports good nymphing at the base of the falls, try green copper johns for results. Bait and lure fishermen are catching above the falls.

CASSEL FOREBAY-Rim Rock Ranch reported fishing went from very crowded on the weekend to very light mid week. Fishing here has been up and down, approaching excellent and then sliding to poor all in the same week. There isn’t any explanation for this trend but expect the fishing to improve in general. Perhaps the up and down temperatures are having some impact. Temperatures are expected to drop somewhat for the coming week with a small chance of some precipitation. Salmon eggs and floating baits are still the baits of choice. Fly fishing activity was with hatches a bit erratic. Still water callibaetis worked at times as well as BWO’s and PDMs.

FALL RIVER-The Fly Shop in Redding reported the evening Hex hatch is happening. Sometimes the black caddis comes off late and the fish key on the emerging sedge rather than the Hexs. Swing and strip a No. 14-16 Zug bug or ostrich Wiggle-Tail if the fish are not taking Hex duns. The morning PMD hatch and dry fly fishing have been good. The fishing can slow down midday and then pick up late afternoon. Good wet flies are No. 16 Normans Wiggles Tails, No.18 Pseudo May, PT nymph No. 16 to 18. Dry fly patterns that can work include No. 18 Tilt Wing Dun PMD, Last Chance Cripple PMD and Mercer’s Missing Link No. 16 to 18. Mercer’s Poxyback Emerger Hexs have been a good choice for the Hex hatch.

IRON CANYON RESERVOIR-The Fly Shop reports coming from this remote reservoir have been good. It’s very scenic here, there is no more mud and there are good campsites near the lake. Best flies should be various callibaetis nymphs and dries. Bring Clouser minnows and fish them on a type 4 sink tip.

UPPER HAT CREEK-Rim Rock Ranch reported clearer water but levels remain higher than usual for this time of year. Fishing has been good with five fish limits of rainbows and brookies common. Many fish in the 3- to 4-pound range are still being caught. Worms, floating baits and salmon eggs continue to be the top baits. Pressure on the creek remains high but with generous bi-weekly plants by DFG the fishing is still very good. With the added chance at a trophy rainbow or brook trout in the 3- to 5-pound range, now is a good time to explore the creek. Fly fishing has been good as long as you add weight to place your fly patterns deep. Stone flies and leech patterns worked well.

HAT CREEK (wild trout section)-Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney reported nymphing was best with fishermen doing okay on the stretch just below the Powerhouse and there were good results with pt’s, copper johns, and some decent hatches of PMD’s, callibaetis starting to show.

KESWICK RESERVOIR-The Fly Shop said flows out of Shasta have been stable which creates good fishing conditions. Keswick is a perfect destination for a guided fishing experience. The rainbow trout here hold in the swirly water near Shasta Dam. Suspending bird’s nests, midges and stripping leeches is how The Fly Shop guides fish this reservoir. Hot weather really seems to get these fish on the bite. The fishing should be good! This reservoir is a sleeper of a fishery. Because access is time consuming and remote, pressure is light and the fishing can be fantastic.

LEWISTON RESERVOIR–The Fly Shop in Redding reported fishing has been good. Callibaetis hatches are producing really fun dry fly fishing from mid morning through early afternoon. Fishing dark leeches on a sinking line will find extra large rainbows. Small nymphs and midges fished deep under indicators are producing hook ups when nothing else is working. Lewiston Lake is definitely a good place to go fly fishing.

MANZANITA LAKE– Hatches are increasing in the late evening and the October caddis hatch could present itself any time now. Callibaetis cripples and midge patterns are taking some nice browns and rainbows. Weed growth is becoming significant so fish the edges for lurking fish. Remember to check the special regulations on this catch and release lake.

McCLOUD RIVER-According to The Fly Shop fishing is fair to good. River conditions are wader friendly, however, don’t plan on any easy river crossings. The early evening stonefly hatch has been awesome; bring any stonefly dry other than an orange stimulator. The bite seems to die off a little mid day. Best hook ups are in the early morning hours, take a siesta midday and then stay until sunset and throw to rising McCloud rainbows.

PIT RIVER-Snow melts and muddy water coming out of the Warner Mountains will continue to hamper favorable conditions.

TRINITY RESERVOIR–The shoreline along Steward Fork in 25 and 40 feet was producing a mixed bag of kokes and trout. HumDingers, Wiggle Hoochies and Apexs, all behind Sling Blades have been good set-ups with garlic, Trophy Trout and Predator scents the best attractants. Bass fishing has been slow.

SHASTA LAKE-You’ll find kings at north end of the Sac arm starting at Sugarloaf and in Big Backbone. For trout, try the McCloud in front of Holiday Harbor from the top 10 to 25 feet along the shoreline. When the sun begins to climb, move out and down between 20 and 40 feet. Find the bait and fish through them. With a zillion boats on the lake try the Sac Arm way up the arms for bass and get into the “No ski zones” and shade pockets with Senkos and topwater baits for a few fish averaging 13 inches but up to 4-pound post spawned fish. Find the bait that’s close to structure and throw shad colored tubes and Robo worms in 4 1/2-inch size . If they are within 10 feet of the surface you can also use spinnerbaits and crankbaits. This has been an off year weatherwise and therefore not the best for bass fishing. The lake is in the dog days of summer now and anglers missed almost all of the spawn and post spawn fish. Ten bass a day is a good day now.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR-Now there’s more of a mixed bag here with trout as well kokes. Cover the 40- to 80-foot ranges out in the main body and down by the cutrain with a Sling Blade and an Apex in UV, oranges, pinks and watermelon colors.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER- River flows dropped significantly, to 5,000 cfs, the lowest of the year, and this time they might finally stick, making bank fishing a little more manageable. However, exercise extreme caution. Anglers were doing well on shad, mostly above Sunrise Blvd., especially around Sunrise Blvd. Some stripers were caught, too, on swimbaits and jerkbaits. Salmon season opens this Saturday on the American River, but don’t get too excited since salmon fishing has never been all that great this time of year on the American. Be sure to check the DFG regulations for details.

FEATHER RIVER, Yuba City-Flows below the Outlet dropped precipitously last week, from over 10,000 cfs to 2,600 cfs, and, while that might throw a monkey wrench into the salmon season opener this Saturday, July 16, fishing for striped bass continued to be very good from near the mouth to Shanghai Rapids. Some nice steelhead were being caught, too, around Gridley, on drifted nightcrawlers and Glo-Bugs. Be sure to check DFG regulations for salmon fishing requirements.

FOLSOM LAKE-Bass continued to be tough, and most of the action, except a bit of a crankbait and topwater bite very early in the morning, has been by slowly working plastic worms through the branches of submerged trees. Bait like drifted minnows and crawdads have been effective, too. Avoid weekends and hours of peak sun. Salmon and trout? You are more likely to get sunburned than catch much.

MATHER LAKE-For a great day of catching lots of feisty bluegill, you cannot do better than Mather Lake now. Soak redworms and mealworms under a bobber around submerged brush and trees.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Striped bass fishing was slow but a few were being caught at Bryte’s Beach and Miller Park. Fishing for catfish provided much better odds of success. The Deep Water Channel, Miller Lisbon School, and Sutter Bypass were producing lots of nice catfish weighing a pound or two on crawdads and dead minnows. Salmon season opens July 16. Be sure to check the DFG regulations for details.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding-Insect hatches continued to be strong, and trout fishing continued to be excellent. Late evenings even provided some nice dry flies action. The best fly fishing was by dead drifting nymphs under floats. Spin fishermen did well drifting Glo-Bugs and crickets.